Work - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Myles, Louise | Massy-Westropp, Nicola | Barnett, Fiona

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a reliable assessment of hand function. Interpretation of HGS is commonly done using normative data. Normative HGS data HGS considers the influence of age and gender without adjustment for anthropometric measurements or functional factors known to influence HGS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential relationship of select anthropometric measurements (height, weight, hand length and width, forearm length and circumference) and functional factors (hand dominance, work and lifestyle category) to HGS. METHODS: This study included a sample of 119 males and 96 female workers from North Queensland. HGS and six anthropometric measurements were …obtained using calibrated instruments and reliable measurement protocols. Age and gender along with three functional factors were documented by self-report. RESULTS: Right and left mean HGS was greater for individuals who performed heavy/very heavy work (58.1±10.1 kg and 54.1±10.9 kg respectively) compared to light (38.5±12.3 kg and 35.5±11.8 kg) or medium work (44.1±10.8 kg and 40.0±12.9 kg). Mean HGS was greater for individuals who performed heavy/very heavy activity (right 48.5±13.6 kg and left 44.5±13.7 kg) compared to light activity (right 36.3±11.2 kg and left 33.9±11.3 kg) within their lifestyle. HGS positively correlated with gender (p  = 0.0001), work (p  = 0.001) and anthropometric measurements of forearm circumference (p  = 0.001), hand length (p  = 0.006) and hand width (p  = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Easy to measure anthropometric measurements of forearm circumference, hand length and width are the strongest predictors of HGS in addition to an individual’s physical activity at work and in their lifestyle. Consideration of these factors could lead to improved evaluation of HGS scores. Show more

Keywords: Key words: Hand grip strength, JAMAR dynamometer, normative data, hand anthropometry

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230519

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024

Authors: Bianchi, Renzo | Swingler, Gail | Schonfeld, Irvin Sam

Article Type: Article Commentary

Abstract: For decades, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) has been regarded as the “gold standard” for the assessment of burnout. The present paper demonstrates that the MBI fails to measure the construct it is purported to measure. On a deeper level, the problems affecting the MBI question the very idea of burnout. These problems may be unsurprising in light of the genesis of the burnout construct. Burnout emerged in the mid-1970s as a largely predefined entity. Burnout’s definition was not predicated on robust empirical investigations or sound theorizing, nor was it anchored in a systematic review of the literature on stress …and health. Interestingly, other measures deemed to assess burnout, such as the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, similarly fail to measure what they are claimed to measure. Despite far-reaching implications for our ability to study and promote occupational health, the flaws that undermine the conceptualization and measurement of burnout remain widely underappreciated. We hope this paper will help raise awareness of these flaws and correct current practices in research on job-related distress. Alternatives to burnout do exist and may enable us to support our workforce more effectively. Show more

Keywords: Burnout, construct validity, diagnosis, job stress, measurement, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240095

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-3, 2024

Authors: Yaqian, Zhang | Chonggao, Wang | Fan, Zhang

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 poses great challenges for preschool teachers in China, which will increase the level of job stress and job burnout, and have an impact on the relationship between job stress, job burnout, and perceived organizational support (POS). However, few studies have examined trilateral relationships, especially the role of POS concerning job stress and job burnout of preschool teachers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship among the three variables of job burnout, job stress, and POS, as well as explore the moderating effects of POS between job stress and job burnout. METHODS: …A cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool teachers in six provinces of China. A total of 408 preschool teachers completed a self-report questionnaire, including three scales that measured job burnout, job stress, and POS respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to examine the relationship among variables. RESULTS: The results showed that job burnout among Chinese preschool teachers was at a medium level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Job stress was positively related to job burnout, and the POS was negatively related to job burnout. Additionally, POS moderated the relationship between job stress and job burnout and alleviated the adverse effects of job stress on the job burnout of preschool teachers. CONCLUSION: POS can play a moderating role between job stress and job burnout of Chinese preschool teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Show more

Keywords: Job burnout, perceived organizational support (POS), job stress, moderating effect, preschool teachers, the COVID-19 pandemic

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230151

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2024

Authors: Kusumoto, Yasuaki | Takahashi, Eri | Endo, Yasuhiro | Asao, Akihiko | Tanaka, Yoshinobu | Okazaki, Kanako | Yokozuka, Mieko | Omata, Junichi | Yabuki, Shoji | Kanzaki, Hideto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Backpack syndrome (BS) is a term used to describe symptoms such as shoulder and back pain that are believed to be caused by carrying a backpack. Few studies have investigated the changes in walking and running parameters with and without backpacks. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the differences in walking and running parameters with and without backpacks in primary school children with and without BS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 51 children (average age 9.3 years, 6– 12 years). Two questions were asked beforehand: whether the respondents had shoulder or back pain when …going to school and present; those who answered that they had pain in both cases were defined as the BS group, while the others were the control group. Walking and running at comfortable speeds and walking and running with a 6 kg backpack on their backs were measured. RESULTS: During walking, there were main effects for speed, cadence, and strike angle with and without the backpack, but no interactions were identified for any of the parameters. In running, however, there were main effects for speed, stride length, strike angle, and lift-off angle, and an interaction effect was observed for speed and stride length. CONCLUSIONS: During walking, carrying a 6 kg backpack increased cadence and walking speed. During running, carrying a backpack caused a decrease in stride length and running speed in the BS group, whereas there was no change in the control group, suggesting that the control and BS groups may respond differently. Show more

Keywords: Backpack, walking, running, elementary school students, shoulder pain, back pain, backpack syndrome

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240111

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-8, 2024

Authors: Farnese, Maria Luisa | Scafuri Kovalchuk, Liliya | Cova, Eleonora

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The literature acknowledges that when there is a failure of expectations in the organization-employee relationship, namely the Psychological Contract Breach, it can potentially contribute to deviant behavior such as Counterproductive Work Behavior (CWB). A justice perspective helps to disentangle this link by suggesting that unethical behaviors may represent the revenge response to perceived organizational unfairness. OBJECTIVE: To gain a more granular understanding of the pathway from Psychological Contract Breach to CWB, this study explores the mediating role of negative emotions in eliciting CWB. It also proposes that the mechanism of moral disengagement helps to deactivate …self-sanctioning processes, allowing individuals to engage in deviant behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed, and conditional process analysis was conducted on a sample of 635 Italian police officer cadets, who were entering the prison system, a context highly susceptible to a failure of expectations and where, at the same time, counteracting unethical behaviors is a key issue. RESULTS: The results supported the tested model, highlighting the mediator role of Job-Related Negative Emotions in the Psychological Contract Breach–CWB relationship and their interaction with Moral Disengagement in shaping CWB. CONCLUSIONS: By examining the interplay between affective and cognitive components, the study provides valuable insights into the underlying processes involved in the relationship between failure in expectancies and deviant behavior. From a managerial perspective, the findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing fairness within organizations through balanced mutual obligations, and raising awareness of moral regulation mechanisms that may shape deviant behaviors. Show more

Keywords: Counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWB), psychological contract breach, job-related negative emotions, moral disengagement, correctional officers, unethical behavior

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230550

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024

Authors: Segal, Addie | Doyle, Nancy W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Given the evolving digital revolution, technology and digital tools are becoming inseparable from work and daily occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) focus on supporting individuals in their desired and needed activities. Many of these daily activities (i.e., online banking, shopping, social media, smartphone use) require digital skills at a growing rate, and insufficient technological skills may subject individuals to limited engagement and social isolation. OBJECTIVE: To understand OTPs attitudes regarding technology utilization. METHODS: We surveyed 109 OTPs about their attitudes, work practices, and barriers to addressing their clients’ digital technological functioning. …RESULTS: The findings of our study suggest that while OTPs acknowledge the importance and potential benefit of technology for their clients, there is a notable professional gap in the training and skills of OTPs to support their clients’ digital functioning effectively and to integrate technology into their practice. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve and expand OTP’s digital skills and knowledge regarding addressing clients’ digital functioning and technology implementation in occupational therapy practice. Show more

Keywords: Occupational therapy, work, technology, computer literacy, professional competence, competency-based education, professional practice

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230654

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Boets, Isabelle | Luyten, Steven | Vandenbroeck, Sofie | Godderis, Lode

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long term sick leave (SL) is increasing in Europe, several countries have legislative initiatives to reduce long-term absenteeism. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of a legally defined return-to-work (RTW) trajectory on the RTW of employees on sick leave in Belgium. METHODS: This was a retrospective register-based cohort study of employees (n  = 1416) who followed an RTW trajectory in 2017. We linked workers’ data from a prevention service with social security data. By multinomial logistic regression, we analysed which characteristics predicted the RTW with the same or another employer. RESULTS: One year after their …RTW trajectory, 69.2% of the 1416 employees did not RTW; 10.7% returned to work with the same employer and 20.1% with a new employer. Duration of SL was an important predictor for the RTW with both the same employer and another employer. The odds of RTW were lower when the SL duration was >  6 months compared to <  6 months. Marital status, organization-size, and the occupational physician decision had a significant impact on the RTW with the same employer. Age and who initiated the RTW-trajectory were important predictors on the RTW with another employer. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 30.8% of employees returned to work after their RTW trajectory. A one-size-fits-all approach is not recommended. A stepped approach with an early, informal start of the RTW process is advised. When employees or employers fail to initiate the RTW on their own, a legally defined RTW trajectory could be useful. In particular, RTW with another employer seemed a positive effect of the RTW-trajectory. Show more

Keywords: Sick leave, return to work, retrospective study, occupational health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230412

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024

Authors: Karaibrahimoglu, Adnan | İnce, Fuat | Hassanzadeh, Gholamreza | Alizadeh, Ali | Bagheri, Kian | Yucel, Irem | Shariat, Ardalan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The integration of AI and telehealth applications in healthcare raises ethical concerns such as bias, transparency, data privacy, and accountability for errors. Several studies have assessed this topic, particularly with regard to musculoskeletal disorders, which will be the focus of this manuscript. OBJECTIVE: We will examine key ethical concepts including informed consent, data protection, confidentiality, physician malpractice, liability, and telemedicine regulations. METHODS: Ethical issues pertaining to the topic were explored through a …review paper. The primary objective of this scoping review was to map and synthesize the existing literature concerning ethical considerations in telehealth and AI for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RESULTS: Research demonstrates that medication effectiveness, patient and physician satisfaction, and accessibility costs are higher with telemedicine and AI methods compared to in-person approaches, particularly for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, addressing ethical issues, including patient data privacy and security, is crucial in this field. By considering these factors, the adoption of emerging AI and telemedicine applications, especially for work-related musculoskeletal disorders, is likely to increase. CONCLUSION: AI and telemedicine offer significant advantages, particularly in addressing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However, ethical and legal issues surrounding their practice require standardized rules to ensure equitable access, quality care, sustainable costs, professional liability, patient privacy, data protection, and confidentiality. Further practical research studies are needed to address these considerations more effectively. Show more

Keywords: Ethics, telehealth, digital health, telemedicine, musculoskeletal disease, artificial intelligence, mHealth

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240187

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024

Authors: Aytar, Ayça | Altintas, Atahan | Gercek, Hasan | Sarak, Hazal | Pagé, M. Gabrielle | Aytar, Aydan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Measuring treatment expectations using the Treatment Expectations in Chronic Pain (TEC) scale has the potential to help clinicians and researchers better understand the role that treatment expectations play within the framework of multimodal pain management settings. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the cross-cultural adaptation, construct validity and reliability of the TEC Scale in the Turkish language. METHODS: The study included 191 volunteers aged 22–65 with chronic musculoskeletal diseases. This study composed of a six-stage cross-cultural adaptation process, which included translation, translation synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review, pre-testing and documentation submission. The …Positivity Scale and Illness Cognition Questionnaire were used to measure convergent validity while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to test divergent validity. The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the TEC scale was examined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Scale’s internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized to evaluate both convergent and divergent validity. The significance level was set at p  < .05. RESULTS: The results of the CFA showed that factor structure of predicted subscale fitted well the data (x2/df = 3,07;CFI = 0,91,IFI = 0,91 TLI = 0,87,RMSEA = 0,10). The results of the CFA indicated that factor structure of ideal subscale fitted well with the data (x2/df = 2,38;CFI = 0,92,IFI = 0,93,TLI = 0,90,RMSEA = 0,08). Both subscales of the TEC were strongly correlated. The predicted subscale had moderate relationships to depression, anxiety, and positivity (r  = -0.37 to r  = 0.55) but poor correlations with measures of acceptance, perceived benefits and helplessness (r  = -0.24 to 0.35). The ideal subscale had moderate correlations with measures of positivity (r  = 0.36) and depression (r  = -0.38) but poor correlations with measures of acceptance, perceived benefits helplessness and anxiety (r  = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the TEC scale is acceptable, valid, and reliable for use in Turkish patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in physiotherapy outpatient practice. Show more

Keywords: Chronic pain, pain management, pain assessments, validity and reliability, expectations, beliefs

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240134

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Tepe, Serap | Çabuk, Ahmet | Eti, Serkan | Mertoğlu, Bülent

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the realm of academia, psychosocial risk factors play a pivotal role, exerting considerable influence on the well-being and performance of scholars. Factors such as excessive workloads, unrelenting performance expectations, time constraints, and competitive atmospheres can detrimentally affect their health and overall quality of life. Moreover, issues like social isolation, work-life imbalance, and academic anxiety further compound these challenges, impeding academic progress and success. OBJECTIVE: Thus, it is imperative to identify, mitigate, and manage psychosocial risk factors effectively to foster a conducive academic environment conducive to productivity and achievement. METHODS: This study employs a novel …approach, integrating expert opinions and utilizing sine trigonometry Pythagorean fuzzy numbers to ascertain the degrees of importance and rank psychosocial risk factors through the DEMATEL method. This methodology presents a unique contribution to existing literature, offering fresh insights into this critical area of study. RESULTS: Evaluation of 25 factors reveals burnout, job dissatisfaction, precarious working conditions, lack of trust, unfair treatment, job insecurity, and limited developmental opportunities as primary concerns, underscoring the multifaceted nature of these challenges. CONCLUSIONS: In the occupational sphere, active participation from all stakeholders in addressing psychosocial risks is paramount for effective problem resolution. It is incumbent upon parties involved to discharge their duties, foster collaboration, enhance working conditions, ensure equity, and facilitate avenues for professional growth. Each identified risk factor addressed and preempted translates into a tangible reduction in workplace accidents and occupational ailments, underscoring the tangible benefits of proactive risk management. Show more

Keywords: Sine trigonometry, DEMATEL, occupational health, occupational safety, decision-making, psychosocial risk factors, academician, fuzzy sets

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240145

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2024